Here is my look into next season for college football. This is the early preview for 2013’s top 10.

1.) Alabama: The Crimson Tide still rule college football. That is for now. Bama looks to be the most complete team with experience returning as Alabama looks to 3-peat as national champions. It won’t be easy, but with AJ McCarron returning at quarterback for his senior season, things got a little easier. The Tide will lose some key offensive linemen, including center Barrett Jones. They will also lose Eddie Lacy to the draft, but Alabama just recycles through running backs and ships them off to be successful in the NFL. The good news is that Nick Saban is still the head coach, and that young defense is only going to get better. Look for Alabama to be in the BCS national title hunt all year long, and don’t be surprised if their in Pasadena playing for that crystal ball again.

2.) Oregon- Speed kills. Oregon is the fastest team in the nation. Marcus Mariota is back for his sophomore season, after having a rather exceptional freshmen campaign. De’Anthony Thomas is the fastest running back in the nation, and he brings his hot wheels back to Eugene. Oregon’s defense will be stout too. Oregon is going to be extremely tough to handle next season. With Chip Kelly backing off from the NFL, Oregon is set to become a perennial national powerhouse. Look for Oregon to be right there with Alabama next season.

3.) Stanford- The Cardinal may have one of the best coaches in the nation in David Shaw. Kevin Hogan returns for his Sophomore season, and hopes to play a full season. ( See Josh Nunes). Stepfan Taylor will be gone at running back, but it does not matter because Stanford will only continue to improve off of Hogan at quarterback and their head coach David Shaw. The Cardinal are really lead by their tough disciplined defense. I think they could be one of the best if not the best defensive unit in the nation next season. Whoever wins the PAC 12 North will probably play for the national title.

4.) Georgia- The Dawgs will have the best offense in the nation next year. Aaron Murray is back for one last ride, and hopes to bring an SEC title and national title back to Athens. Georgia will have quite the running back tandem with Keith Marshall and Todd Gurley next year.  Wide receiver Michael Bennet will also be back from his knee injury. Georgia’s offense is expected to light up the scoreboard. Georgia’s key problems will be on defense. The Dawgs are already losing a lot of their impact players including Jarvis Jones. Georgia’s defense was inconsistent last year, and with a younger crew next year, it could be problematic.

5.) Clemson: I am a firm believer in Tajh Boyd after his final drive against the great LSU defense in the Chick Fil-A bowl. I think Clemson will roll through the ACC and may go unbeaten next year. Sammy Watkins and Andre Ellington return as well on offense. DeAndre Hopkins departs for the NFL, but this offense is talented. The defense will be the key just like with Georiga, but Clemson has more experience on defense, and that could be a huge part in their possible BCS national title hunt chase next season.

6.) Texas A&M: Heismanziel may be the most coveted player in the nation.  Johnny Football has Aggieland drooling over him. Manziel set all kinds of records and may have had the best freshmen season ever in college football. A&M brings in a strong recruiting class as well, and will try and reload on both sides of the ball. The offensive line, will lose some talent, and star receivers Reggie McNeal and Ryan Swope will be gone. Mike Evans is expected to be Manziel’s favorite target next season. Here’s my problem with A&M. They truly creep-ed in on everyone last season and did remarkable in the SEC for their first year. This season will not be the same, and many teams will have their own game film on Johnny Manziel who will probably not have the year he had last year. It will be interesting to see, but as far as I’m concerned, A&M’s offensive line will be much weaker, and Manziel will have a tougher time making plays. It also does not help that he  will be losing his two best receivers.

7.) Florida- Yes I know. I think we all know that Florida was embarrassed by the Louisville Cardinals in the Sugar Bowl. I still think this is an exceptional football team. Florida’s defense should be even better next season, and look for the Gators offense to be much more improved. It will be important for Jeff Driskel to improve his passing game. That is Florida’s main problem. I think Florida can contend in the east again, and will be a solid top ten team again next year.

8.) Ohio State- The Buckeyes did go undefeated last year. But let’s be honest. They do not have one win on their schedule that makes you think they are an elite team. However, Ohio State has a weak schedule again. Look for Braxton Miller to improve off of his remarkable season from last year, and the buckeyes offense to get better as a whole. The defense is solid for the most part, and Urban Meyer is a great coach. I just do not think that this team is ready to compete with the big boys yet. Stay tuned

9.) Notre Dame- The Fightin Irish may have been exposed in the national title game, but this team is still talented on both sides of the ball. Everett Golson will mature after a strong season, and will still have Tj Jones at receiver. The offense will lose some play makers in Theo Riddick and Tyler Eifert. The defense loses Manti Te’o, but will still have one of the best players returning in Louis Nix III. The Irish are still talented, and I believe Brian Kelly is leading them in the perfect direction. The schedule won’t be too difficult,so look for Notre Dame to compete for a BCS bowl.

10.) Texas- Hear me out. I know the Longhorns have been mediocre the past couple seasons, but this team returns so much talent and experience they have to be the favorites to win the Big 12..right? David Ash has greatly improved his game and will try and build off an incredible performance from the Alamo Bowl. The Horns have one of the best running back trios in the nation, in Joe Bergeron, Malcolm Brown, and Jonathan Gray. The Horns also return Jaxon Shipley and Mike “magic” Davis at receiver. Jackson Jeffcoat will be the leader of the defense in the front seven along with Steve Edmond. Quandre Diggs may be the corner in the nation. Manny Diaz better fix the defense, because that is the clear cut problem. The Longhorns offense is fine, although Ash greatly struggled in a couple games last year. Look for Texas to continue to build on both sides of the ball and look for the Horns to win the Big 12 next season.